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Votes at a glance: Bemidji School Board actions and outcomes
Summary
Board passed a package of routine and substantive items: custodians' tentative agreement, FY27 preliminary budget (with conditional bus-authority), two election-related resolutions, student handbook revisions, designation of official for MDE access, certification of population estimate, and rescinding a superintendent-evaluation procedure.
The Bemidji Public School District board approved several motions during the meeting, summarized below. Vote types (voice or roll call) are indicated where recorded.
- Tentative agreement with custodians and maintenance personnel (20252027): Approved by voice vote. Superintendent said the package follows the district's pattern settlement and includes a 0% general increase in year one and stipend tiers; 1.5% in year two.
- FY27 preliminary operating budget and conditional authority: Approved by voice vote. The board adopted a preliminary operating budget projecting a $247,880 surplus and approved giving the superintendent conditional authority to authorize up to $270,000 in bus purchases in March if monthly tracking confirms the surplus.
- Resolution: count write-in votes only when necessary (Minnesota statute): Approved by roll-call vote (Wall: yes; Aus: yes; Manaki: yes; Hogan: yes).
- Resolution: call school district general election Nov. 3, 2026: Approved by roll-call vote (Manaki: yes; Wall: yes; Aus: yes; Hogan: yes).
- Student handbook revisions: Approved by voice vote; one board member recorded an opposing 'I' during the voice tally.
- Designation of identified official for MDE external-user access (superintendent): Approved by roll-call vote (Aus: yes; Manaki: yes; Wall: yes; Hogan: yes).
- Certification of updated district population estimate (40,152): Approved by roll-call vote (Wall: yes; Aus: yes; Manaki: yes; Hogan: yes).
- Rescind superintendent-evaluation procedure from policy (to allow procedural updates outside policy): Approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: The votes finalize immediate contract steps, set fiscal parameters for FY27 and transportation decisions, and update administrative procedures that affect elections, reporting and future policy changes.
